Capt
Douglas Gordon Campbell
Information about birth
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Date of birth: 12/03/1887 |
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Place of birth: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
General information
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Last known residence: Cambalang, Bombala, New South Wales, Australia |
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Profession: Grazier (sheep or cattle farmer) |
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Religion: Church of England |
Army information
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Country: Australia |
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Force: Australian Imperial Force |
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Rank: Captain |
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Enlistment date: 12/11/1914 |
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Units: — Australian Field Artillery, 14th Bty. 5th Bde. (Last known unit) — 1st Light Horse Regiment (1st Royal New South Wales Lancers) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 21/10/1917 |
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Place of death: Flinte Farm, Zonnebeke, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 30 |
Cemetery
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Belgian Battery Corner Cemetery Plot: II Row: D Grave: 14 |
Distinctions and medals 3
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1914-15 Star Medal |
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British War Medal Medal |
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Victory Medal Medal |
Points of interest 3
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Last known residence | ||
| #3 | Place of death (approximate) |
My story
Douglas Gordon Campbell was the son of Ronald and Elizabeth Campbell. He was born on 12 March 1887 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. He lived in Cambalang, Bombala and worked as a cattle farmer. Before the start of the First World War, in 1906, Douglas had already served two years as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Australian Field Militia. He enlisted in the Australian army on 12 November 1914. He was then part of the 1st Light Horse Regiment and later also served in the ammunition column of the 2nd Australian Division.
On 4 October 1917, however, he joined the 5th Australian Field Artillery, where he was part of the 15th Battery. At that time, the Brigade was participating in the Battle of Broodseinde, part of the Battle of Passchendaele. Two days later, on 6 October, he was appointed Forward Observer Officer (FOO) for the coming operations.
On 17 October 1917, Douglas wrote a final letter to his father in which he wrote: ‘I am presently attached to the 15th battery 5th brigade We have a very good dug out, it is German and built of five foot of concrete and reinforced with steel rails, but the other day I was in it when an 8 incher hit the corner, The other officer and the cook were only slightly wounded.’. Douglas survived the attack, but according to family sources, he died a few days later on 21 October. A German shell hit the dugout, killing two soldiers, including 30-year-old Douglas.
Douglas Gordon Campbell was buried in Belgian Battery Corner Cemetery. Today he still rests in the 14th grave of plot II, row D.
On 4 October 1917, however, he joined the 5th Australian Field Artillery, where he was part of the 15th Battery. At that time, the Brigade was participating in the Battle of Broodseinde, part of the Battle of Passchendaele. Two days later, on 6 October, he was appointed Forward Observer Officer (FOO) for the coming operations.
On 17 October 1917, Douglas wrote a final letter to his father in which he wrote: ‘I am presently attached to the 15th battery 5th brigade We have a very good dug out, it is German and built of five foot of concrete and reinforced with steel rails, but the other day I was in it when an 8 incher hit the corner, The other officer and the cook were only slightly wounded.’. Douglas survived the attack, but according to family sources, he died a few days later on 21 October. A German shell hit the dugout, killing two soldiers, including 30-year-old Douglas.
Douglas Gordon Campbell was buried in Belgian Battery Corner Cemetery. Today he still rests in the 14th grave of plot II, row D.
Sources 4
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2nd Australian Divisional Ammunition Column, (Australian War Memorial, (AWM), AWM4 13/75/19). https://www.awm.gov.au/ Sources used |
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5th Australian Field Artillery Brigade, (Australian War Memorial, (AWM), AWM4 13/33/23). https://www.awm.gov.au/ Sources used |
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First Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers, 1914-1920, (National Archives of Australia, Canberra (NAA), B2455, CAMPBELL D G). https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/SessionTimeout.aspx Sources used |
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Unit embarkation nominal rolls, 1914-18 War (Australian War Memorial, Campbell (AWM), AWM8). http://awm.gov.au Sources used |
More information 4
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Commonwealth War Graves Commission Database https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/92687 |
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Namenlijst (In Flanders Fields Museum) https://namenlijst.org/publicsearch/#/person/_id=9aa03735-c27a-49f6-942d-df7b5dd7e54b |
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Lives of the First World War (Imperial War Museum) https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/7289135 |
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The AIF Project (UNSW Canberra) https://aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=44617 |